The Wilmette School Landscape: Quality Education at Every Level

For many home buyers, school districts are a major deciding factor when choosing where to live. In Wilmette, the strength and reputation of the schools are major selling points—and with good reason. The village is served by excellent public and private schools, with many consistently earning high marks academically, and they often play a central role in marketing Wilmette real estate.

Below is a guided tour through Wilmette’s main school systems, neighborhood public schools, private options, and how educational offerings fit into life in Wilmette.

Public School Districts in Wilmette

Wilmette Public Schools District 39 (D39)

This is the primary public school system for K–8 in Wilmette. Students in D39 feed into New Trier High School for grades 9–12. 

Key facts & structure:

• D39 serves roughly 3,285 students (PK to 8) with a student-teacher ratio of about 12:1. 

• The mission of the district: to “engage, empower, and inspire” students to lead academically successful, socially responsible, compassionate, and purposeful lives.

• It comprises four neighborhood elementary schools (K–4):

  1. Central Elementary

  2. Harper Elementary

  3. McKenzie Elementary

  4. Romona Elementary

• Students in grades 5–6 attend Highcrest Middle School 

• Grades 7–8 attend Wilmette Junior High School 

• The four elementary schools feed into Highcrest and then to Wilmette Junior High. 

• Some of the elementary schools have been recognized for excellence. For instance, Central and Romona have had “Exemplary” designations from the Illinois State Board of Education, signifying they rank among the top ~10% of schools with no underperforming student groups. 

• The district covers most of Wilmette, a small portion of southeastern Glenview, and a small neighborhood with Winnetka postal addresses. 

Why this matters for real estate in Wilmette:

A strong K–8 public school district raises buyer confidence in the long-term value of homes. It’s common in listings to highlight which D39 school a home is zoned for. Also, because the elementary schools are neighborhood-based, families often look for homes in particular school catchments—making school zoning a driver of demand in local neighborhoods.

Avoca School District 37

While D39 is the main Wilmette public district, parts of Wilmette are served by Avoca School District 37.

Key facts & structure:

• Avoca serves students in PreK–8 from parts of Wilmette, Glenview, Winnetka, and Northfield. 

• The district operates two schools:

  1. Avoca West (K–5) in Glenview

  2. Marie Murphy School (6–8) in Wilmette 

• Avoca places a strong emphasis on music programs—string orchestras begin in first grade—and its music education has been recognized with the Best Communities for Music Education award (in 2019, 2022, and 2023). 

• Marie Murphy is also notable for a strong Science Olympiad program, consistently producing students who compete at high levels statewide and even nationally. 

• Because Avoca School District 37 overlaps Wilmette in parts, some listings—and buyer decisions—must consider which K–8 district a home falls into.

High School: New Trier Township High School (District 203)

Once students complete 8th grade at D39 or Avoca, they generally matriculate to New Trier High School, one of the most highly respected public high schools in Illinois. 

Key facts & strengths:

• New Trier serves multiple communities beyond Wilmette, including Winnetka, Kenilworth, parts of Glenview, and more.

• It has two campuses: a Northfield campus for freshman year and a Winnetka campus for sophomores through seniors. 

• Enrollment is large—around 3,700 students across all grades. 

• The academic reputation is very strong, often cited in rankings for rigorous academics, wide extracurricular offerings, college preparation, and resources.

For many buyers, the fact that Wilmette feeds into New Trier is a major positive when evaluating Wilmette real estate. The prestige and performance of the high school can drive value and buyer interest.

Private, Parochial, and Alternative Schools in Wilmette

In addition to the public options, Wilmette offers several private and parochial school choices, giving families alternatives in terms of approach, faith orientation, or specialized curricula:

• Loyola Academy (grades 9–12)
  A Jesuit, co-educational Catholic college-preparatory high school. It has a national reputation, robust athletics, arts, and rigorous academics.

• Regina Dominican High School (grades 9–12, all-female)
  This Catholic school is located in Wilmette and provides college preparatory education for young women. 

• Baker Demonstration School (Pre-K to 8)
  A private school known for experiential, child-centered learning (often Montessori-inspired).

• Gan Montessori (Pre-K – Kindergarten)
  A Montessori-based early childhood option in Wilmette. 

• Saints JFX School (K–8)
  A parochial (Catholic) elementary and middle school in the area. 

• Ronald Knox Montessori (Pre-K to K)
  For families focused on Montessori methods in early education, this is another option. 

• St. Francis Xavier School (K–8)
  Another Catholic school serving local families.

• These private and faith-based schools often attract families who want a particular educational philosophy or faith-based environment, and they add to the diversity and appeal of real estate in Wilmette.

How Schools Tie Into Wilmette’s Real Estate Appeal

Understanding the schools is more than just academic knowledge—it directly affects how homes are marketed, valued, and perceived.

1. Zoning Matters
   Because the elementary schools are neighborhood-based in D39, buyers often look at homes zoned to their preferred school. Listings commonly include the assigned school name, and being in a desirable catchment area can boost demand.

2. Strong Schools = Strong Home Value
   A strong school district is frequently one of the top selling points for families, and it helps sustain long-term home value. Prospective buyers often see paying more for a home in a top district as an investment.

3. Marketing Differentiator
   For properties near school boundaries, or in the overlap of D39 and Avoca, emphasizing the school advantages can differentiate one listing from another.

4. Flexibility for Families
   The presence of private, parochial, and specialized schools gives families alternatives, which can widen the pool of potential buyers. A home buyer who wants a Montessori early environment or faith-based education may see Wilmette as uniquely well-suited.

5. Cohesive Community Identity
   Schools act as neighborhood hubs—events, sports, PTA, and arts connect families and build community. That sense of community is one of the intangibles that makes Wilmette real estate not just about structures but about life and belonging.

Sample School Snapshot Chart

Here’s a quick snapshot you can embed in your blog post:

Final Thoughts

Wilmette’s school system is a significant part of what makes the community attractive to buyers. From strong public K–8 options in D39 and Avoca, to the high academic reputation of New Trier High School, and a range of private and parochial alternatives, there’s educational breadth here that appeals to many family priorities.

If you’re considering homes in Wilmette and want help understanding which school district or catchment you’d end up in, I can guide you. I love helping clients find not just a house, but a home in a community with strong schools to match. Happy to help!